People can soon access old Ark. land records

The renovation includes an exhibit room and a vault for notes, books and maps. Some documents date back to soon after the Louisiana Purchase.

Associated Press

People in Arkansas soon will be able to access thousands of historical land records as renovations are completed at the land commissioner's office.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports (http://bit.ly/ZOZpE5 ) Monday that Commissioner John Thurston's office will unveil its nearly two-year renovation at an open house Jan. 24.

The renovation includes an exhibit room and a vault for notes, books and maps. Some documents date back to soon after the Louisiana Purchase.

The Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council provided a $250,000 grant to help out with the $326,000 renovation. Land commissioner office spokeswoman Nikki Heck says the other $76,000 came out of the office's budget.

The land commissioner's primary role is to collect delinquent real estate taxes, but the office is also responsible for maintaining land records.